Cord Blood News Volume 8.43 | Nov 3 2016

TOP STORY

Single-Stage Cell-Based Cartilage Repair in a Rabbit Model: Cell Tracking and In Vivo Chondrogenesis of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Composite

Researchers investigated the feasibility of transplanting human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells and hyaluronic acid hydrogel composite to repair articular cartilage defects in a rabbit model and determine whether the transplanted cells persisted or disappeared from the defect site. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation for Acute Leukemia Diagnosed in the First Year of Life: Outcomes and Risk Factor Analysis

The authors present a retrospective, registry-based study reporting umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) outcomes in 252 children with ALL or AML diagnosed before 1 year of age who received a single-unit UCBT after myeloablative conditioning between 1996 and 2012 in EBMT centers. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Infections of the Central Nervous System after Unrelated Donor Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation or Human Leukocyte Antigen–Matched Sibling Transplantation

Scientists analyzed the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and outcome of central nervous system infections in consecutive patients with receiving umbilical cord blood transplantation or HLA-matched sibling donor stem cell transplantation. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

ABO Incompatibility Does Not Influence Transfusion Requirements in Patients Undergoing Single-Unit Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation

There are few studies analyzing ABO matching impact on transfusion outcome of umbilical cord blood transplantation recipients. Researchers analyzed factors influencing transfusion outcome, highlighting the ABO matching between donor and recipient. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

3D Engineered In Vitro Hepatospheroids for Studying Drug Toxicity and Metabolism

Investigators used hepatospheroids differentiated from human-umbilical-cord-mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on 3D scaffold GEVAC (gelatin-vinyl-acetate-copolymer) as an in vitro model for studying drug metabolism/toxicity. They demonstrated that hUC-MSCs-derived-hepatospheroids cultured on GEVAC expressed significantly higher drug-metabolizing enzymes both at mRNA and activity level compared to 2D culture, using HR-LC/MS. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

Upregulation of Endothelial Gene Markers in Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Polyelectrolyte Multilayers

To guide either bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial cells-like phenotype, poly(allylamine-hydrochloride)/poly(styrene-sulfonate) multilayers film was used as culture coating and compared to type I collagen (as control coating). [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Human Umbilical Perivascular Cells: A Novel Source of MSCs to Support Testicular Niche Regeneration

Scientists evaluated first trimester human umbilical cord perivascular cells, a novel source of mesenchymal stromal-like cells (MSCs), as potential human feeder cells for standardized human spermatogonial stem cells expansion ex-vivo. [Reproduction] Abstract

Gene Profiles in a Smoke-Induced COPD Mouse Lung Model following Treatment with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors analyzed the gene expression profiles to compare mouse lungs with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke with non-exposed lungs. Gene expression profiling was also conducted in a mouse lung tissue with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke following the systemic injection of human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Mol Cells] Abstract

Tissue-Derived Signals for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Stimulation: Role of Cardiac and Umbilical Cord Microenvironments

The aim of the present study was to mimic cardiac and umbilical cord tissue microenvironments in vitro and compare the resulting bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell behaviors. [Cells Tissues Organs] Full Article

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Historical and Scientific Overview

The authors discuss the current science of hematopoietic stem cell transplant from a historical perspective, highlighting major discoveries. They also speculate on future directions in this field. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field.

HemaCare Signs Distribution Agreement with Korea-Based Partner

HemaCare Corporation has expanded its global capabilities through a strategic distribution agreement in Korea with Seoul-based AccuResearch Korea, Inc. This partnership ensures researchers in South Korea can access HemaCare’s human healthy and disease state fresh and cryopreserved hematopoietic cell products for their basic scientific and cell therapy research and development needs in a timely manner and with local regional support. [HemaCare Corporation] Press Release

Creative Medical Technologies Receives Exclusive License to Key Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Patent from University of California System

Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. announced signing of an exclusive license agreement with the University of California System to commercialize and develop a novel type of amniotic fluid derived stem cell as disclosed in issued US Patent No. 7,569,385. [Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Publisher Pulls 58 Articles by Iranian Scientists over Authorship Manipulation

A tranche of 58 articles authored by 282 Iran-based researchers were retracted by a leading scientific publisher, which said it had found signs that the peer review and publication processes had been compromized. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Scientists Ditch Postdocs for Biotech Start-Ups

There is a vanguard of young biomedical scientists who have started companies instead of taking the conventional academic path and pursuing postdoctoral studies after their PhDs. Among the factors driving this change are an infusion of money into early-stage biotech investing, the emergence of biotech incubators and the scarcity of academic jobs in science. [Nature News] Editorial

Beyond Trump vs Clinton: A Scientist’s Guide to the US Election

Choices that voters make will influence other levels of government — and some of these decisions will steer the course of science and science policy. [Nature News] Editorial

Tracker Flags Up Failures to Report Clinical Trials

An automated tool has trawled through thousands of records on the world’s leading clinical-trials database to reveal which drug firms and academic institutions are failing to publish the results of their trials. The US Department of Health and Human Services announced tougher rules to push the researchers that it funds to publish clinical-trial designs and results. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Translational Opportunities in Stem Cell Research
February 27-March 1, 2017
Basel, Switzerland

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Immunobiology of Stromal Cells (Institut Pasteur)

MRC WIMM Prize PhD Studentships (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Biology (Universitatsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Gene Regulation and Leukemia (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Senior Research Scientist / Natural Killer Cell Therapy Group Leader – Immunotherapy (The Anthony Nolan Trust)

Research Associate – Hematology (Editas Medicine)

Assistant Associate or Full Member Faculty Position – Myeloid Malignancies (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Associate Position – Blood Cancer and Epigenetic Research (University of Miami)

Postdoctoral Position – Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

PhD Position – Tumor Microenvironment in Leukemia (Georg-Speyer-Haus)

Assistant Associate or Full Member Faculty – Myeloid Malignancies (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Assistant Member Faculty – PlatinumImmunotherapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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